Baldwin Schools Spell ‘Success’

Students from the Baldwin Union Free School District proudly showed off their knack for spelling in the nail-biting 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Each school's winner earned the opportunity to advance to the next level, which consists of a qualifying test to determine eligibility for the regional spelling bee.

At Baldwin Middle School, the sixth graders competed in the school spelling bee, coordinated by library media specialist, Michelle Toffolo, and teaching assistant, Danielle Johnson.

After ten challenging rounds, middle school student, Genesis Olivares, emerged as the school champion with the word “spectator,” while Isabella George came in as first runner-up. Genesis will now prepare for the regional written spelling and vocabulary assessment in February, aiming to qualify for the Region 4 Scripps National Spelling Bee in March, coinciding with National Reading Month.

Principal Dr. Erica Taylor expressed her pride in the students' commitment, stating, “Events like the Spelling Bee highlight the courage, confidence, and academic excellence of our students. I am immensely proud of all our participants for stepping beyond their comfort zones and demonstrating perseverance and scholarly pride.”

All five Baldwin elementary schools also participated in the annual competition, which celebrated its centennial last year. The national competition began in 1925, when nine newspapers joined together to host a spelling bee. Today, this long-standing tradition reaches millions of students each year.

In Baldwin, students throughout the district collaborate closely with their teachers and families to prepare, enhancing their vocabulary and literacy skills. The competition challenges students to spell and define complex words, which in turn promotes deeper academic growth and builds confidence.

Spelling Bee Champions by School:

• Baldwin Middle School: Genesis Olivares, Grade 6, winning word: spectator
• Steele Elementary School: Ezber Nazaire, Grade 4, winning word: alfalfa
• Brookside Elementary School: Aisha Akinbode, Grade 5, winning word: garbled
• Lenox Elementary School: Aaron Alexandre, Grade 5D, winning word: conscience 
• Meadow Elementary School: Halima Williams, Grade 4, winning word: prestigious
• Plaza Elementary School: Lianna Martin, Grade 5, winning word: encourages